Photo: Will Tee Yang
Cover image: Choreography by Vitor Luiz, Assistant Professor of Dance, from "Bitter Suite" presented at Dance Visions 2024.
Photo: Rose Eichenbaum
Dean's Message
Dear friends,
Welcome to the 2024-25 season at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA)! I am delighted to share with you our exciting lineup of performances, exhibitions and new initiatives. Leading such a vibrant and diverse community of artists, scholars and creative thinkers is a profound privilege. I am continually inspired by the innovation and dedication that fuel CTSA as the creative engine of UC Irvine, the heart and soul of the university’s research priority on the human experience.
Our academic community is where creativity flourishes, boundaries are challenged and the power of research and collaboration illuminates new horizons. This season, we continue our commitment to creating interdisciplinary connections with the launch of our “Arts &” campaign, which underscores the symbiotic relationship between creative expression and scholarly research. By focusing on the intersections of the arts with the sciences, on matters of identity and belonging, and innovations in sustainability, we aim to demonstrate how each discipline within our school contributes to the broader academic and creative community.
We are thrilled to present a rich array of artistic experiences that reflect the depth and diversity of our programs. From the empowering narrative of 9 to 5: The Musical to the innovative choreography in Dance Visions 2025 and the vocal impact of Finding the Light: Alzheimer Stories featuring the UCI Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, our performances promise to captivate and inspire. Additionally, our art exhibitions, including the much-anticipated Future Tense: Art, Complexity, and Uncertainty, supported through the Getty’s 2024 Pacific Standard Time iteration, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, will offer thought-provoking insights into the intersections of art, science and technology.
At CTSA, we believe that the arts are more than just a form of expression — they are a powerful catalyst for research and creative activity, fueling growth, dialogue and transformation. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication to our community. Your generosity of spirit allows us to cultivate an academic environment where students are not just learning but actively launching into the arts. Through their coursework, internships and unique opportunities with our campus collaborations and community partnerships, they are forging their paths as creative leaders. Our mission is to empower them to further these experiences into the world, where they will continue to innovate, inspire and redefine artistic boundaries as they launch their careers and contribute to the arts on a larger stage.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you and witnessing the incredible works, collaborations and discoveries that await us in the months ahead. Together, let us continue to celebrate the transformative power of the arts at UC Irvine. To our connecting at the season ahead!
Tiffany Ana López, Ph.D. Claire Trevor Dean of the Arts
Department Leadership
Kevin Appel, Chair Department of Art
Executive Director
University Art Galleries (UAG)
Associate Director
Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art (Langson IMCA)
Professor of Visual Art art.arts.uci.edu
Dr. Kelli Sharp, Chair
Department of Dance
Director, Center for Medical Humanities
Co-Director of iMove Lab, UCI Sue & Bill Gross
Stem Cell Research Center (SCRC)
Co-Vice Chair for Research for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Associate Professor of Dance Science dance.arts.uci.edu
Joel Veenstra, Chair
Department of Drama
Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Global Improvisation Initiative (GII)
Head of Stage Management Professor of Teaching drama.arts.uci.edu
Michael Dessen, Interim Chair Department of Music
Co-Founder of Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology (ICIT)
Director of the Gassmann Electronic Music Studios
Jazz Program Coordinator Professor of Music music.arts.uci.edu
Associate and Assistant Deans
Alan Terricciano
Associate Dean for Academic Personnel and Undergraduate Affairs Professor of Dance
Jesse Colin Jackson
Associate Dean, Research and Innovation
Executive Director, Beall Center Professor of Art
Daphne Lei
Associate Dean for Graduate Affairs Director, UC Irvine Illuminations Head of Doctoral Studies, Drama Professor of Doctoral Studies
Jason Valdry, MBA
Assistant Dean Chief of Staff
2024-25 Season-At-A-Glance
Fall 2024
Aug. 24-Dec. 14*
Oct. 2*
Future Tense: Art, Complexity, and Uncertainty
BC, UAG
Joint Faculty Recital: United By Music WSH
Oct. 5-Dec. 14* KISSSSS by Yong Soon Min CAC
Oct. 5-Dec. 14*
Oct. 15*
Nov. 13*
Nov. 21-24
Nov. 26
Dec. 2
Dec. 4*
Dec. 4
Dec. 5*
Dec. 5*
Dec. 5-7
Dec. 7
Dec. 7*
Dec. 9*
Winter 2025
Learning from ACT-UP: Tactics of Direct Action R
A Song for Cesar Documentary Screening IBT
UCI Jazz Combos WSH
UCI Drama: 9 to 5: The Musical IBT
UCI Symphony Orchestra IBT
UCI Wind Ensemble WSH
UCI Guitar Ensemble WSH
UCI Jazz Orchestra WSH
Tenth Thursday Student Exhibition AC
UC Irvine Choral Concert: Sounds of the Season Off-campus
UCI Dance: New Slate 2024 CTT
New Slate 2024 (Streaming) ONLINE
UCI Opera Workshop WSH
UCI Chamber Music Concert WSH
Jan. 25-April 5* The Intimacies Between Continents
Jan. 25-April 19* Engaging the Margins
Jan. 31-Feb. 8
CAC
BC
UCI Drama: Gloria RCT
Feb. 3-March 31* Festival: Theater of Community xMPL
Feb. 8-March 1* M.F.A. 2nd Year Exhibition UAG, R
Feb. 14-15
Feb. 19*
Feb. 20-22
Feb. 22
Feb. 26
Feb. 28
Feb. 28-March 15
March 1
March 6
March 8*
March 10
March 11
March 12*
March 13*
Music Artist Series: Kei Akagi Trio WSH
UCI Jazz Combos WSH
Dance Visions 2025 IBT
Dance Visions 2025 (Streaming) ONLINE
UCI Jazz Orchestra WSH
Music Artist Series: Rajna Swaminathan, WSH Ganavya & Utsav Lal
UCI Drama: Quit Bitchin' CTT (stage)
Music Artist Series: Lorna Griffitt, piano WSH
UCI Symphony Orchestra IBT
UCI Opera Workshop WSH
UCI Wind Ensemble WSH
UC Irvine Choral Concert: Finding the Light: IBT Alzheimer Stories
UCI Guitar Ensemble WSH
Tenth Thursday Student Exhibition AC
March 13* The Art of Performance @ UCI 10th Edition xMPL
March 13-22*
March 15*
March 17*
20th Annual Guest Juried Undergraduate Exhibition UAG, R
ICIT Showcase Concert WSH
UCI Chamber Music Concert WSH
Spring 2025
Through April 5* The Intimacies Between Continents, CAC
Through April 19* Engaging the Margins
TBD*
April 1-26*
April 6*
April 11*
April 17-19
April 19
April 19-May 3*
April 22*
May 1-May 3
May 3
May 2-10
May 3
May 8*
May 10
May 10-24*
May 14*
May 16-17*
May 17-June 7
May 21
May 30-June 7
BC
UC Irvine Homecoming Festival 2025 Aldrich Park
UCI Dance Graduate Thesis Concerts xMPL
Music Honors Concert WSH
Vocal Arts Concert: Liederabend WSH
Dance Escape 2025 CTT
Dance Escape 2025 (Streaming) ONLINE
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, part 1 UAG, CAC, R
UC Irvine Giving Day ONLINE
UCI Dance: Physical Graffiti 2025 CTT
Physical Graffiti 2025 (Streaming) ONLINE
UCI Drama: La Belle et la Bête xMPL
Music Artist Series: An Evening of Chamber Music WSH
Music Artist Series: International Contemporary Ensemble WSH
UCI Opera Workshop IBT
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, part 2 UAG, CAC, R
UCI Jazz Combos WSH
Music Artist Series: The Ghost of Autumn Winds (秋風の霊) xMPL
M.F.A. Spring Exhibition BC
UCI Jazz Orchestra WSH
UCI Drama: Starmites CTT
May 31* Listen to the Motion xMPL
June 2
June 4*
UCI Wind Ensemble WSH
UCI Guitar Ensemble WSH
June 5-14* Undergraduate Honors Thesis Exhibition UAG, CAC, R
June 5*
June 6
June 7
June 9*
Summer 2025
Tenth Thursday Student Exhibition AC
UCI Symphony Orchestra IBT
UC Irvine Choral Concert: Journey Across Continents: WSH
UC Irvine Choral World Tour
UCI Chamber Music Concert WSH
July-August New Swan Shakespeare Festival NS
Venues
AMP Arts Plaza Amphitheatre
AC Arts Campus
BC Beall Center for Art + Technology
CAC Contemporary Arts Center
CTT Claire Trevor Theatre
IBT△ Irvine Barclay Theatre
NS New Swan Theater
RCT Robert Cohen Theatre
R Room Gallery
ONLINE Live or recorded event presented online
UAG University Art Gallery
WSH Winifred Smith Hall
xMPL Experimental Media Performance Lab
Check website for specifics.
△ Venue not on CTSA campus. Consult CTSA website maps: www.arts.uci.edu/directions
Dates, venues, titles are subject to change.
Please check our online events calendar (www.arts.uci.edu/calendar) for the most current information.
* indicates free event / indicates tentative shuttle availability.
In 1998, the Claire Trevor School of the Arts was awarded a significant gift from the Rockwell International Corporation, supporting the foundation and infrastructure for the Donald R. and Joan F. Beall Center for Art + Technology. Since its opening in 2000, the Beall has exhibited works by over 350 professional artists. Its curatorial focus presents diverse artists working with experimental and interactive media. The approach is not to exclusively emphasize the technological aspects of works but to present experimental media projects that are equally strong aesthetically, conceptually and technically as they explore responsiveness, interactivity and generative transformations.
The Beall’s public programs expanded over the years to include college and high school tours, an undergraduate docent program, film screenings, artist lectures and robotics camps. Through these programs, they have introduced new audiences and expanded the conceptions of established audiences to the potential of technology in the arts.
As the Beall embarks on its 25-year anniversary, it continues to lead at the intersection of art and technology. In August 2024, the Beall will present Future Tense: Art, Complexity, and Uncertainty as part of the Getty Museum’s Pacific Standard Time initiative, PST ART: Art & Science Collide. This exhibition marks the beginning of a milestone year, celebrating a quarter-century of artistic and technological inquiry. Beall exhibitions and programming are generously supported by The Beall Family Foundation.
Photo by Steve Zylius
Aug. 24-Dec. 14, 2024
Public Opening Reception: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2-6 p.m.
Future Tense: Art, Complexity, and Uncertainty
Curated by David Familian
From robotics to microbiology, data surveillance to climate change, Future Tense: Art, Complexity, and Uncertainty invites visitors to experience how complex systems adapt over time to evolving conditions. Five resident artists and eight guest artists will present works in the UC Irvine Beall Center for Art + Technology. A satellite exhibition featuring an interactive ocean model will be mounted in the UCSB AlloSphere Research Facility.
Future Tense will be on view from August 24 - December 14, 2024, as part of Getty's 2024 Pacific Standard Time iteration, PST ART: Art & Science Collide.
The Future Tense exhibition and ancillary program of artist lectures, symposia and performances, has been generously supported by the Getty PST ART initiative and The Beall Family Foundation.
Beall Center for Art + Technology Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Free admission
For more information, visit beall.arts.uci.edu
Image: Laura Splan, Baroque Bodies (Ambient Portals #1), 2022. Digital animation created with 3D nucleosome model and AI-generated image. 01:23 minutes. This work was made possible by the Simons Foundation. Created in collaboration with Adam Lamson, Science Collaborator and theoretical biophysicist at Flatiron Institute, a division of the Simons Foundation. ©2022 Laura Splan.
Jan. 25-April 19, 2025
Opening Reception:
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2-5 p.m.
Engaging the Margins
Co-curated by Antoinette LaFarge and Jesse Colin Jackson
Artists:
Ava Aviva Avnisan Catherine Griffiths
Rebecca Cummins Nina Vroemen
Krista-Leigh Davis Jennifer Willet
Yvette Granata Jiayi Young
With a performance by Thomas de Frantz and Quran Karriem
Engaging the Margins presents the work of contemporary artists committed to experimenting in the marginal areas where art making, practice-based research and scholarships in wild or abandoned landscapes, but all interrogate the ways in which art is positioned in a culture that continues to marginalize artists working across disciplinary boundaries. The artists were among those featured in Jackson and LaFarge's anthology Experimental Practices in Interdisciplinary Art: Engaging the Margins (Brill, 2024), which will launch alongside the exhibition.
Engaging the Margins is supported by The Beall Family Foundation
Beall Center for Art + Technology
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.
Free admission
Image: The Trauma Surrogates, Segment 3 of No Claim to the Blue-Green Bloom by Krista Davis, 2022. Still image from video.
May 17-June 7, 2025
Opening Reception:
Saturday, May 17, 2-5 p.m.
M.F.A. Spring Exhibition
Curated by Jibade-Khalil Huffman
This exhibition is part of Beall Center’s “Art +” series and features art M.F.A. students.
Beall Center for Art + Technology
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.
Free admission
Image: Devin Wilson, Key Smashing, 2023; Performative sculptures; 3D printed “keyboard spiders.” Courtesy of the artist. Photo by ofstudio Photography.
1968
Department of Art
The founding faculty and early student body of the UC Irvine Department of Art reads like a who’s who of the 1960s Southern California art scene. The founder of the University Art Gallery and first chair was British curator, critic and photographer John Coplans, who had a long affiliation with Artforum magazine, eventually serving as Editor-in-Chief. Other instructors included abstract sculptor Tony DeLap, ceramist John Mason, painter Vija Celmins and Beverly O’Neill, who would go on to become Provost of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), as well as Craig Kauffman, Robert Morris, Robert Irwin and Ed Moses, among others. This powerhouse faculty attracted talent immediately, counting among its first students, iconic "Light and Space" artist, James Turrell, one of the primary initiators of the Institutional Critique movement, Michael Asher and controversial performance artist Chris Burden. In one of his most famous pieces while at UCI, Burden locked himself into a locker for five days with a bottle of water. This locker is still located upstairs by the black and white photo lab. Today, the faculty comprises of prolific nationally and internationally recognized artists and scholars who focus on a multitude of dynamic paths to engage in art making, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital filmmaking, installation, performance, electronic art and design, art writing, critical theory and curatorial studies. As a testament, UCI Art has 16 Guggenheim Fellows from various backgrounds and fields of study, including five current faculty.
12
Image: Liz Stringer, M.F.A. ’24, Showing #5, 2024, copper foil, ceramic, steel, concrete; (background) Showing #2, 2024, ceramic, steel, 11' x 40" x 50." Photo by ARTIFAX (Hiroshi Clark and Brian Bowman).
Oct. 5-Dec. 14, 2024
Memorial for Yong Soon Min: Saturday, Oct. 5, noon-2 p.m.
Opening Reception: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2-6 p.m.
KISSSSS by Yong Soon Min
Curated by Bridget R. Cooks, Ph.D.
This exhibition features the last artworks of UCI Professor Emerita Yong Soon Min before her untimely passing on March 12, 2024. It includes Still/Incessant, an artist book that revisits her longstanding interest in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) — the liminal space between North and South Korea — as well as research and notes for the unfinished artwork, KISSSSS. This installation is co-sponsored by UCI Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art and UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts, with support from UCI Center for Critical Korean Studies and UCI Beall Center for Art + Technology.
Public Memorial for Yong Soon Min: Saturday, Oct. 5, noon-2 p.m.
Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL)
Exhibition: Contemporary Arts Center Gallery
Free admission
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.
Visit imca.uci.edu and arts.uci.edu for additional details.
Image: Yong Soon Min, image from KISSSSS. Photographer: David Kelley, 2024.
Oct. 5-Dec. 14, 2024
Opening Reception:
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2-6 p.m.
Learning from ACT-UP: Tactics of Direct Action
Curated by Juli Carson and Sasha Ussef
ACT-UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, is a diverse, nonpartisan group united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. Upon its founding in March 1987 in New York, it adopted the famed emblem SILENCE=DEATH. Addressing tactics of peaceful direct action, the art of political persuasion and the metamorphosis of institutional intervention, this exhibition acts as a laboratory to learn from ACT-UP’s feats in curbing an epidemic through art, politics and science.
Room Gallery
Free admission
Image: ©1987 THE SILENCE = DEATH PROJECT.
Used by permission by ACT UP, The AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power.
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, March 13, 2025, 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, June 5, 2025, 6-8 p.m.
Tenth Thursday Undergraduate Student Exhibitions
Organized by Professor Deborah Oliver in collaboration with the participating students and faculty
Join us for Tenth Thursday, an evening showcasing art exhibitions and projects by the Department of Art's talented undergraduates. Experience a diverse range of works, including painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, video, sculpture, performance and installations. Engage with the artists and celebrate the culmination of their end-of-quarter class projects at this inspiring cultural event.
Arts Campus
Free admission
Jan. 25-April 5, 2025
Opening Reception:
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2-5 p.m.
The Intimacies Between Continents
Curated by Coleman Collins
This exhibition traces the material legacies of colonialism, consumerism and globalized trade.
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.
Free admission
A look back...
On the Passage of a Few People through a Rather Brief Period of Time
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery | Jan. 20-April 7, 2024
Curated by Juli Carson
Professor Juli Carson (left) and artist Mary Kelly engaged in a captivating dialogue during the opening event of On the Passage of a Few People through a Rather Brief Period of Time at the Contemporary Arts Center Gallery on January 20, 2024. Surrounded by members of the Claire Trevor Society, students and art patrons, they discussed Kelly's influential work and its impact on a new generation of artists. Carson's edited anthology, Mary Kelly’s Concentric Pedagogy: Selected Writings, provided the backdrop for their exploration of project-based art and the intergenerational transmission of collective desires. They delved into the exhibition's themes, Kelly's legacy as an artist, writer and educator, and how her work inspired both reflection and action.
Student Exhibitions
Feb. 8-March 1, 2025
Opening Reception:
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2-5 p.m.
M.F.A. 2nd Year Exhibition
The M.F.A. 2nd Year Exhibition features works by second-year M.F.A. students at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, marking their advancement to candidacy at the University of California, Irvine. This showcase highlights their artistic development and progression.
University Art Gallery, Room Gallery
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.
Free admission
March 13-22, 2025
Opening Reception:
Thursday, March 13, 6-8 p.m.
20th Annual Guest Juried Undergraduate Exhibition
The 20th Anniversary Juried Undergraduate Exhibition features works by over 30 students from the Department of Art, including painting, drawing, photography, installation, sculpture and video. Join us at the opening reception for light refreshments.
University Art Gallery, Room Gallery
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.
Free admission
April 19-May 3, 2025
Opening Reception:
Saturday, April 19, 2-5 p.m.
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibitions, Part I
Exhibitions presented by M.F.A. candidates in the Department of Art. Featured artists to be announced.
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery, University Art Gallery, Room Gallery
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.
Free admission
May 10-24, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 10, 2-5 p.m.
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibitions, Part 2
Exhibitions presented by M.F.A. candidates in the Department of Art. Featured artists to be announced.
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery, University Art Gallery, Room Gallery
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Free admission
June 5-14, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 5, 6-8 p.m.
Undergraduate Honors
Thesis Exhibition
Thesis exhibitions presented by the cohort in the undergraduate honors program in the Department of Art. Featured artists to be announced.
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery, University Art Gallery, Room Gallery
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Free admission
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. For up to date information, please visit art.arts.uci.edu
Department of Dance
1965 2005 1984 1973 2015
2024
Dean Clayton Garrison asked dance visionary Eugene Loring to join the UC Irvine faculty as founding Chair of the Department of Dance, and he remained a professor at the School until 1981. Loring had already had an illustrious professional career, which took off in the depths of the Great Depression when he was accepted into George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein’s newly formed School of American Ballet. Joining Loring on the faculty was legendary English dancer and choreographer Antony Tudor, and together, the two staged significant works at the School, including Loring’s iconic Aaron Copeland ballet, Billy the Kid. Current Professor, Molly Lynch, was a student of both Loring’s and Tudor’s and remembers those years as being marked by professionalism and collaboration. “Within the conservatory model established by Clayton Garrison, the department was run like a company,” recalled Lynch. “Though we were an academic community, everyone was serious about the craft and dedicated to artistic excellence.” The Department continues in this spirit today. Since then, the curriculum has expanded to develop a strong foundation in various dance forms, including ballet, hip hop, modern, jazz and contemporary while cultivating a collaborative environment that builds bridges with the wider dance community. Embracing diversity, promoting inclusion and striving for excellence are at the core of the dance department's mission.
Dec. 5-7, 2024
New Slate 2024
Vitor Luiz and Cyrian Reed, artistic directors
Experience a showcase of original choreography by the talented M.F.A. candidates in the Department of Dance. Join us as we present a series of unique and inspiring performances that highlight the skills of our choreographers and dancers at UCI. See the blend of innovation and passion as the future of dance unfolds on stage.
Claire Trevor Theatre
Dec. 5, 6, 7 8 p.m. Dec. 7 2 p.m.
$25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
Also streaming Dec. 6, 8 p.m. | $15
Feb. 20-22, 2025
Dance Visions 2025
Diane Diefenderfer and Tong Wang, artistic directors
Dance Visions 2025 is the premier annual production for the Department of Dance at UCI's Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Featuring works by faculty choreographers, the concert showcases a diverse array of genres. Each performance integrates dance, music and theatrical elements, representing the culmination of creative exploration.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Feb. 20, 21, 22 8 p.m. Feb. 22 2 p.m.
$30 / 26 / 26 / 24 / 10
Also streaming Feb. 22, 2 p.m. | $15
April 17-19, 2025
Dance Escape 2025
Chad Michael Hall, artistic director
Join us for an unforgettable evening as M.F.A. choreographers present a dynamic program of original new works that celebrate the extraordinary talents of both graduate and undergraduate dancers. Get ready to be mesmerized as they transport you to a realm of movement and emotion, combining the synergy of innovation and tradition in a one-of-a-kind performance.
Claire Trevor Theatre
April 17, 18, 19 8 p.m. April 19 2 p.m
$25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
Also streaming April 19, 2 p.m. | $15
May 1-3, 2025
Physical Graffiti 2025
Molly Lynch, artistic director
Experience a captivating journey through a range of dance styles, from contemporary ballet to high-energy hip hop and more. Our talented undergraduate choreographers invite you to witness the transformative power of movement in our annual dance concert, where boundaries dissolve and emotions are ignited.
Claire Trevor Theatre
May 1, 2, 3 8 p.m.
May 3 2 p.m.
$25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
Also streaming May 3, 2 p.m. | $15
Dance and Chemistry Collide
UC Irvine's "Club Lab Freestyle: Molecules in Motion" event demonstrated the synergy between dance and chemistry, bringing students from both disciplines to reinterpret chemical reactions through movement. Spearheaded by professors Dr. Gregory Weiss (Department of Chemistry), Dr. S. Ama Wray (Department of Dance) and Cyrian Reed (Department of Dance), this interdisciplinary project was part of the Chancellor’s Arts & Culture Initiative, Illuminations. "Movement is at the center of all things — it is not peripheral," shared Wray. "Everything in the universe is in motion, and our students were able to experience this concretely, accessing chemistry concepts through the creative animation of their bodies." The two dance labs had students utilize jazz and hip-hop techniques to represent the dynamic nature of molecules. This approach used improvisation as a pedagogical tool, leveraging popular musical genres to make learning more accessible and engaging. Students worked beyond conventional frameworks and used creativity to learn chemistry.
Photo: Dan Hopkinson
Department of Drama
Since its inception, UC Irvine has never known life without the inestimable talents of Professor Emeritus of Drama Dr. Robert Cohen. Cohen is a longtime professional director, translator, playwright, essayist, theatre critic and the author of many texts which set the standard for theatre pedagogy. As the founding Chair of the Department of Drama, he chose as his directorial debut Tennessee Williams’ emotionally expansive The Night of the Iguana, which was joined that season by the musical comedy Little Mary Sunshine and the American premiere of avant-garde British work What a Lovely War. Cohen recalls that there were seven students in the Drama major that first year, and the Department did not yet have its own sound or lighting designer. As a result, the cast of Iguana included a mix of actors from the community and students from various departments. Dean Clayton Garrison also allowed Cohen to hire Broadway lighting designer Peter Hunt, giving the show a distinctly professional and striking look. “Those years held a tangible excitement,” recalled Cohen. Today, the Department can claim that for the past decade, non-stop, they have had one or more of our students and alumni on Broadway and behind the scenes. This rich culture of breadth, creative boldness and professional distinction continues to inform the Department.
Generous support for the Department of Drama season is provided by the Robert and Lorna Cohen Endowment for Excellence in Drama, Theatre Guild and Claire Trevor Society.
Nov. 21-24, 2024
9 to 5: The Musical
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Book by Patricia Resnick
Directed and Choreographed by Myrona DeLaney
Music Directed by Sain Leyva
Based on the 1980 film 9 to 5: The Musical — produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt in 2009 — features Dolly Parton's music and lyrics and Patricia Resnick's book. Set in 1980, it follows three women who, fed up with their boss, hatch a plan to overthrow him. The show blends humor with themes of empowerment and corporate sisterhood.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Nov. 21, 22, 23 8 p.m.
Nov. 23*, 24 2 p.m.
$30 / 26 / 26 / 24 / 10
Generous support for this production is provided by the Steven M. Sorenson Foundation, Robert and Lorna Cohen Endowment for Excellence in Drama, Theatre Guild and Claire Trevor Society.
9 to 5: The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. (www.mtishows.com)
Jan. 31-Feb. 8, 2025
Gloria By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Andrew Borba
Get ready for the explosive Pulitzer Prize finalist Gloria, a dark comedy by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins that skewers the cutthroat culture of modern media. Follow a group of twenty-something editorial assistants at a prestigious Manhattan magazine as they navigate ambition, opportunity, and the pursuit of success. From satire to thriller, this play of wit and irony keeps audiences engaged as the stakes for telling one's own story reach new heights.
Robert Cohen Theatre
Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 6, 7, 8 8 p.m.
Feb. 2, 8 2 p.m.
Feb. 5 7:30 p.m.
Please join us after each performance for a talkback with cast & crew.
$25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
Gloria is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)
Feb. 28-March 15, 2025
Quit Bitchin’
By Anna Marjorie Fitzgerald
Directed by Juliette Carrillo
Step into a world pulsating with energy, where every moment crackles with the intensity of life. Maddie, Tig and Jules are in a laundromat in rural America, exploding with pent-up rage from young motherhood, workplace misogyny, and uncertainties about marriage. With help from three powerful women who run the local liquor store, Maddie, Tig and Jules find new freedom to face life with a ferocious courage strong enough to change their lives. Quit Bitchin’ is not just a play — it's a modern reimagining, a fusion of ancient Greek myths and contemporary experiences, so prepare for a journey where every twist is a revelation.
Claire Trevor Theatre (stage)
Feb. 28, Mar. 1, 6, 7*, 8, 13, 14, 15 8 p.m.
Mar. 2*, 8, 15 2 p.m.
March 5, 12 7:30 p.m.
* Please join us after the Sunday, March 2, matinee and Friday, March 7, evening show for a talkback with cast & crew.
$25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
May 2-10, 2025
La Belle et la Bête
Adapted and Directed by Annie Loui
A woman is given in marriage to a beast – based on a true story. Belle is sent to live in an enchanted castle with a hideous Beast to pay off the debt of her father. Gabrielle Suzanne Villeneuve, author of the fairytale, was given in an arranged marriage in 1706 to benefit her family fortune. Quickly widowed and destitute, she went to Paris to live by her wits, becoming embroiled with Louis 15th’s court censor, Crebillon, considered “the ugliest man in Paris.”
Our production parallels the true story of Villeneuve with her romanticized fairytale: an exploration of the true nature of love, transformation and courage. Told in movement, music and dialogue in the style of CounterBalance Theater.
Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL)
May 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 8 p.m.
May 3, 4*, 10 2 p.m.
May 7 7:30 p.m.
* Please join us after the Sunday, May 4, matinee for a talkback with cast & crew.
$25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
May 30-June 7, 2025
Starmites
By Barry Keating and Stuart Ross
Directed and Choreographed by Nikki Snelson
Eleanor, a shy teenager, escapes the challenges of growing up by immersing herself in sci-fi comic books. Her life changes dramatically when she is transported into the comic book world where she must learn to harness her inner strength to defeat her foes and lead her allies. Starmites is a vibrant musical with contemporary songs and humor, perfect for all ages, and it combines elements of beloved fantasy series with the energetic spirit of contemporary musical styles: Hip-Hop, Rap, Gospel, Boy Band, Female Pop Ensemble and classic Musical Theater. This reimagining of the cult-classic Broadway hit promises big laughs and heartfelt moments in the adventurous world of Innerspace. Claire Trevor Theatre
May 30, 31, 5, 6, 7 8 p.m.
June 1*, 7 2 p.m.
June 4 7:30 p.m.
* Please join us after the Sunday, June 1, matinee for a talkback with cast & crew.
$25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
STARMITES PRO is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Feb
3-March 2, 2025
Theater of Community
Produced by Bryan Reynolds and Zachary Price
Rooted in the University of California’s commitments to respect, equity, learning and justice, Theater of Community explores through performances, workshops and dialogue bias and bigotry, particularly anti-Blackness, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, while promoting free speech with the aim of developing and sustaining a diverse and equitable community grounded in principles of care and compassion.
Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL)
Free admission
For more information, visit www.arts.uci.edu/events
Department of Music
1965 2008 1983 1971 2014
2024
Founding Chair H. Colin Slim was the School’s only full-time faculty member in the Department of Music. This required him to teach nine courses each year but also allowed him to widen his musical experience, as he was recruited to provide accompaniment for Little Mary Sunshine, one of the School’s first big shows. “I didn’t know a thing about musical theatre,” recalled Slim. “But I jumped in and learned it and had a great time. That’s what we did in those early years. There was a lot of professional respect for each other as artists, and a definite spirit of collaboration.” Maurice Allard, Mehli Mehta and Roger Wagner rounded out the music faculty. Much has changed in the years since, and today the Department couples' strengths in more traditional vocal and orchestral music with programs designed around new approaches to musical creation and performance. Our graduate Ph.D. program in Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology stands out for its exploration of the role of computers in audio processing, sound spatialization, networked performance, interactivity and alternative computer-mediated instruments. Currently, the Department offers two Ph.D.s, M.F.A.s in six specializations and a Bachelor's in Music.
Artist Series
Feb. 14-15, 2025, 8 p.m.
Artist Series: Kei Akagi Trio
Featuring UC Irvine Professor Emeritus, Kei Akagi
The Kei Akagi Trio with Darek Oles and Jason Harnell has been together for over three decades and is one of the most continuous and venerated ensembles in the Los Angeles area. The UC Irvine performance will feature original selections from Akagi’s album releases from the last decade.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
$20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 10
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, 8 p.m.
Artist Series: Rajna Swaminathan, Ganavya & Utsav Lal
Rajna Swaminathan, mrudangam/voice, compositions ganavya doraiswamy, voice, compositions
Utsav Lal, piano, compositions
In this collaborative performance, Rajna Swaminathan (mrudangam, voice), ganavya doraiswamy (voice) and Utsav Lal (piano) explore multiple intersections among South Asian music, jazz/ creative music and other sound worlds. The trio format brings their creative voices into deeper dialogue, as original compositions intertwine with innovative arrangements and expansive improvisations.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
$20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 10
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 8 p.m.
Artist Series: Lorna Griffitt, piano
Join pianist Lorna Griffitt on a journey through musical treasures by Bach, Haydn and Chopin, concluding with Sergei Prokofiev's magnificent Piano Sonata No. 6. The program will also feature the world premiere of a new work by Yungwha Son, a Korean-American composer with a Ph.D. in music composition from UC San Diego.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
$20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 10
Saturday, May 3, 2025, 8 p.m.
Artist Series: An Evening of Chamber Music
Haroutune Bedelian, violin
Sarah Koo Freeman, cello
Lorna Griffitt, piano
Please join us for an evening of chamber music with pianist Lorna Griffitt, violinist Haroutune Bedelian and cellist Sarah Koo Freeman.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
$20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 10
Thursday, May 8, 2025, 8 p.m.
7 p.m. Pre-concert talk with the artists
Artist Series: Composing While Black: A concert by the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
Organized by Michael Dessen
Join us for a unique concert celebrating the wide-ranging creative visions of Black composers, performed by virtuoso musicians from one of today's most renowned contemporary music ensembles, and including a pre-concert talk with the artists.
Sponsored by UC Irvine Illuminations with generous support provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
May 16-17, 2025, 8 p.m.
Artist Series: The Ghost of Autumn Winds (秋風の霊)
Kojiro Umezaki, shakuhachi
This performance features The Ghost of Autumn Winds (秋風の霊) — a roughly forty-minute dialogue between shakuhachi and electronics using an original generative AI system named simerent. The simerent system captures an instrument's phrases, performs pattern-matching and responds with variations on previously captured phrases in order of similarity, difference or both, all through an immersive sound system. Holding both similarity and difference in the same space, giving equal voice and value, and allowing them to engage in dialogue are central to the artistic and humanistic motivations underlying this work.
Sponsored by UC Irvine Illuminations with generous support provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL)
Free admission
Music Ensembles
Exploring Musical Pathways: UC Irvine's Department of Music Ensembles
The Department of Music in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts provides the opportunity for students to unleash their musical passion. Open to ALL UC Irvine students, auditions during Welcome Week unlock a world of ensemble possibilities. Dive into the rhythm of Jazz Ensembles, from the premier big band UCI Jazz Orchestra to intimate Small Groups. Vocal Arts offers intensive vocal music study for both undergraduates and graduates, nurturing future vocal stars. Students, faculty and staff may join the ranks of the prestigious UCI Symphony Orchestra, where music majors, non-majors and community members create symphonic magic. Alternatively, the UCI Wind Ensemble focuses on wind and percussion compositions, a playground for instrumentalists. And if you are a student and love to sing, UCI's choirs welcome all levels of vocalists. UCI Music transcends boundaries and creates a diverse ensemble community of musicians across campus.
Generous support for all of the ensemble performances is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 8 p.m.
Friday, June 6, 2025, 8 p.m.
UCI Symphony Orchestra
Dr. Geoffrey Pope, conductor
Join the UCI Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Dr. Geoffrey Pope, for an evening of orchestral classics from your favorite composers.
The UCI Symphony Orchestra is one of the premier large performance ensembles in Orange County, representing the Department of Music. The orchestra has existed since 1966 and offers music majors, non-majors, faculty and other community members the opportunity to study and perform symphonic music of the ages.
Join Maestro Geoffrey Pope for a Pre-Concert Conversation at 7 p.m.
Generous support is provided by Charlie and Ling Zhang, UCI Friends of the Symphony, and the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
$21 / 18 / 18 / 16 / 10
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 8 p.m.
UCI Jazz Combos
Organized by Michael Dessen
Join us for the UCI undergraduate jazz program’s quarterly concert, featuring small group ensembles performing a range of jazz styles. Experience dynamic performances guided by our distinguished jazz faculty in an evening of musical innovation and improvisation.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 8 p.m.
UCI Jazz Orchestra
Jerry Pinter, director
Join the UCI Jazz Orchestra for an evening of largeensemble jazz, featuring a range from big band classics to modern compositions. Experience the vibrant and dynamic performances that highlight the orchestra’s versatility and depth in jazz music.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
$10
Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, 8 p.m.
Monday, March 10, 2025, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 2, 2025, 8 p.m.
UCI Wind Ensemble
Kevin McKeown, conductor
Under the direction of Kevin McKeown, the UCI Wind Ensemble performs a diverse program of traditional and contemporary works written for the wind band. This concert showcases the ensemble's commitment to exploring various styles within the genre.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
$10
UC Irvine Choirs
Dr. Irene Messoloras, conductor and director of choral activities
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Sounds of the Season
Featuring the UCI Chamber Singers, Concert Choir and Voces Chamber Ensemble
Celebrate the season with the UC Irvine Choirs as they present a delightful mix of familiar and new holiday-inspired music, including classical, pop, folk and jazz favorites. Featuring works by Uģis Prauliņš, J.S. Bach, G.F. Handel, Morton Lauridsen, Linda Kachelmeier and Cecilia McDowall, this concert promises a wonderful experience for the whole family.
Bethel Church in Irvine (18700 Harvard Ave, Irvine, CA 92612) Free admission with registration
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 8 p.m.
Finding the Light: Alzheimer's Stories
Featuring the UCI Chamber Singers and Concert Choir
Alzheimer's Stories by Robert Cohen Co-presented by UCI Mind
Experience a powerful musical journey through Alzheimer's, featuring soloists, choir, percussion and piano by Robert Cohen. This powerful work, with texts by patients and caregivers, highlights the disease's impact and the power of music. Join us for a moving tribute and support the fight against Alzheimer's.
Join us for a pre-concert panel at 7 p.m.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
$21 / 18 / 18 / 16 / 10
Saturday, June 7, 2025, 8 p.m.
Journey Across Continents: UC Irvine
Choral World Tour
Featuring the UCI Chamber Singers
Join us for this captivating concert launching the UC Irvine Chamber Singers Portugal tour. Experience an enchanting evening of music, from contemporary masterpieces to Renaissance classics. Immerse yourself in diverse melodies that span centuries, celebrating the rich tapestry of choral traditions.
Winifred Smith Hall
$10
Generous support for the UCI Choirs productions are provided by friends of Choral Activities, the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund and Professor Emeritus Joseph Huszti.
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, noon
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, noon
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, noon
UCI Guitar Ensemble
Experience the UCI guitar students as they perform a range of timeless compositions from around the world. This concert features both solo and quartet arrangements, covering six centuries of repertoire and showcasing the blend of guitars with other instruments.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall Free admission
Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, 8 p.m
Monday, March 17, 2025, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 9, 2025, 8 p.m.
UCI Chamber Music Concert
Organized by Sarah Koo Freeman
Experience an evening of chamber music performed by UCI’s talented music students. This concert features esteemed chamber works, demonstrating the students' exceptional skill and artistry through detailed and expressive interpretations in a close-knit performance setting.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall Free admission
Special Events
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, noon
Joint Faculty Recital: United by Music
The UCI Faculty Recital marks the beginning of the academic year, showcasing the exceptional talents of its music professors. Featuring a diverse program of classical and contemporary pieces, the event highlights the skill and artistry of the faculty, providing an enriching musical experience for both students and the community.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Sunday, April 6, 2025, 3 p.m.
Music Honors Concert
Organized by Lorna Griffitt, Sarah Koo Freeman and Nina Scolnik
The annual Honors Concert is a prestigious showcase that celebrates the exceptional talent of our music students through captivating solo and ensemble performances. Spanning a diverse repertoire — from classical masterpieces to innovative jazz compositions and beyond — this event offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the artistry and skill of the Department of Music's finest musicians. Join us for an evening that promises to inspire and delight, as these rising stars share their passion and dedication through an extraordinary musical journey.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Friday, April 11, 2025, 8 p.m.
Vocal Arts Concert: Liederabend
Organized by Frances Young Bennett
UCI singers and pianists perform a recital of nineteenth century German songs and duets by Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn and Fanny Mendelssohn.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Saturday, May 31, 2025, 8 p.m.
Listen to the Motion
Organized by Mari Kimura
Developed by Professor Mari Kimura, the festival features a motion system called MUGIC®. The concert showcases new works by ICIT Ph.D. students from Kimura’s seminar "Composing with Sensors," using MUGIC® to translate movements into meaningful expressions in new and creative ways.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Opera
Andreas Mitisek, artistic director
Ph.D. Program
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 8, 2025, 8 p.m.
UCI Opera Workshop
Join us for an exciting concert of diverse operatic repertoire performed by UCI Vocal Arts students.
Generous support is provided by the Opera Guild and Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Saturday, May 10, 2025, 8 p.m.
UCI Opera Workshop with the UCI Symphony
Join us for an exciting concert of diverse operatic repertoire performed by UCI Vocal Arts students, accompanied by the UCI Symphony.
Generous support is provided by the Opera Guild and Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
$21 / 18 / 18 / 16 / 10
Saturday, March 15, 2025, 8 p.m.
ICIT Showcase Concert
Organized by Kojiro Umezaki
The ICIT Showcase Concert presents original works by Ph.D. students in Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology (ICIT) from the Department of Music.
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie and Robert Rawlins Endowment Fund.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
2024-25 Box Office Information
Hours
Wednesday & Thursday, noon-4 p.m.
1 hour before performances at venue box office with seasonal/intermittent closures; check www.arts.uci.edu/boxoffice
Contact
(949) 824-2787 | artstix@uci.edu
Tickets
www.arts.uci.edu/tickets (24/7) | Phone | CTSA Box Office Window
Ways to Save
Ticket Packages
For 3 or more events purchased at the same time: www.arts.uci.edu/package
Group Sales
Discounts for 10+ tickets are available for most of our shows, including online. Contact the box office for more specific info.
To coordinate your discounted group sales, please contact our box office team at (949) 824-2787.
Scan the QR code to visit the box office website with additional maps and more information about your visit to CTSA.
ADA Access
CTSA strives to maintain compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies.
www.arts.uci.edu/ada
Complimentary Shuttle Service Service is available for our guests with disabilities or those with mobility issues, for select events throughout the season. Subject to change.
www.arts.uci.edu/shuttle
General and Disabled Parking Parking is available in the Student Center Parking Structure (SCPS) for the Irvine Barclay Theatre and the New Swan Theater; and Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) for all other venues.
www.arts.uci.edu/directions
Map and Directions
Venues
AMP Arts Plaza Amphitheatre
AC Arts Campus
BC Beall Center for Art + Technology
CAC Contemporary Arts Center & Gallery
CTT Claire Trevor Theatre
IBTp Irvine Barclay Theatre
LTp Little Theatre/Humanities Hall
RCT Robert Cohen Theatre
R Room Gallery
UAG University Art Gallery
WSH Winifred Smith Hall
WG William J. Gillespie Performance Studios
xMPL Experimental Media Performance Lab
pVenue not on CTSA campus www.arts.uci.edu/venues
UAG
University Art Gallery (949) 824-9854 gallery@uci.edu uag.arts.uci.edu
Maps www.arts.uci.edu/directions
Patrons
Please use the pedestrian bridge to get to CTSA galleries and theatres. Take elevator or stairs to Level 3 of Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) to access bridge, which is to your left as you exit elevator or stairs.
UCI Parking
$13+
www.parking.uci.edu
Check for parking discounts at www.arts.uci.edu/parking
University of California, Irvine
Claire Trevor School of the Arts
200 Mesa Arts Building
Irvine, CA 92697-2775
